STORY: AARON NOONAN
IMAGES: AN1 IMAGES (JUSTIN DEELEY, DIRK KLYNSMITH)
A V8 SUPERCARS Championship-winning Commodore in the middle of one of the most controversial finishes in title history is the first car confirmed for August’s Kumho Tyre V8 Sleuth Touring Car Classic at Winton Motor Raceway.
Now owned by Eggleston Motorsport, the Toll HSV Dealer Team Commodore VZ that won the 2006 championship in the hands of Rick Kelly after a drama-packed final round at Phillip Island will be on the grid for the Classic as part of the CAMS Shannons Nationals.
To be driven by Ben Eggleston in its original orange and black Toll HSV livery, the car holds a special place in Supercars history as being the only car to win the main Supercars Championship (with Kelly), the Development Series (with Tony D’Alberto in 2007) and the third-tier Kumho Series (with Justin Ruggier and EMS in 2014).
ELIGIBLE CARS: What you can run in the Kumho Tyre V8 Sleuth Touring Car Classic
The car is the first to enter for the inaugural event, which recently announced Kumho Tyre as its naming rights sponsor and control tyre supplier.
Eggleston is the co-owner of Super2 Series-winning team Eggelston Motorsport and has history as a driver in both the Super2 Series and Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, though his appearance in the Classic is his return to race driving after a few years out of the saddle.
“When this event was announced I think I was probably one of the first people on the phone to find out more information,” says Eggleston.
“There’s huge interest in the 1990s and early to mid 2000s V8 Supercars and it’s a period of the sport I have very fond memories of.
“The team behind the event have the same passion and vision that I do for getting these cars out onto the track for the fans to enjoy, so I’m really happy to support them and bring the Toll car out for a run – it’s going to be a great weekend.”
Open to former V8 Supercars/five-litre V8 Touring Cars, two-litre Super Tourers, V8 Future Tourers and invited cars, the Classic will be a celebration of Australian touring car racing history.
The event has also secured live streaming coverage as part of the Winton Shannons Nationals telecast that will also be viewable via the V8 Sleuth website and its social media channels.
There will be a class for Falcon and Commodore V8 Supercars for cars covering 1992 to 2002 (including Falcon EB, EF, EL and AU and Commodore VP, VR, VS, VT and VX) and a class for post-Project Blueprint cars (covering 2003 to 2007) up to and including the VZ Commodore and BF Falcon.
Holden Commodore VE/VE IIs and Ford Falcon FGs, the cars that make up the bulk of the current Kumho Tyre Super3 Series field, will not be permitted in the Classic.
The event format will mirror the Super3 Series with optional Friday private practice, multiple practice sessions, qualifying and three races.
For further details or to receive an information pack and/or entry form, contact via the V8 Sleuth website HERE.
